Keating-Award

Major General L. Scott Rice, The Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, presented William R. Keating, U.S. Representative for the 9th Congressional District of Massachusetts, the Charles Dick Medal of Merit.

The Charles Dick Medal of Merit was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels. The medal is named in honor of Maj. Gen. Charles Dick, National Guard Association of the United States president from 1902 to 1909. Dick was a major general in the Ohio National Guard, a congressman and later a senator. He was responsible for the passage of the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 that established the foundation of the modern day National Guard.

NGAMA nominated Congressman Keating for the NGAUS Award. The award was presented to Keating in front of several appreciative members of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard.

“Congressman Keating is the biggest friend of the wing,” said Col. James M. LeFavor, 102 IW Commander.

“The congressman for an extended period of time has been providing exceptional strong support to the National Guard beyond the scope of his office,” said Rice. It is great to be here among so many friends,” said Keating. “Advocating for the work you do has been easy. The guard provides the greatest security with the greatest value for the dollar. At a moment’s notice you can act. We have to train for this.”

“Representative Keating is a strong supporter of the National Guard military mission with an extensive track record of powerful advocacy on behalf of the Massachusetts National Guard,” stated Rice in his nomination letter.

NGAMA nominated Congressman Keating for this award because he has been a strong supporter and advocate for the Massachusetts National Guard. Last year Congressman Keating helped restore 141 positions within the 102nd Air Operation Group during the Air Force budget battle. He has been a strong supporter of the Massachusetts Military Reservation which includes Camp Edwards and Otis Air Force base.

The entire membership of NGAMA congratulates Congressman Bill Keating on this important award.

It is great to be here among so many friends,” said Keating. “Advocating for the work you do has been easy. The guard provides the greatest security with the greatest value for the dollar. At a moment’s notice you can act. We have to train for this.”

“Representative Keating is a strong supporter of the National Guard military mission with an extensive track record of powerful advocacy on behalf of the Massachusetts National Guard,” stated Rice in his nomination letter.

Specifically to the Massachusetts 9th District, Representative Keating’s efforts helped restore 141 positions to the 102nd Air Operations Group at Otis, that were identified for elimination in the US Air Force Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

Keating has served as a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts since 2011. He represents the state’s 9th district, which includes Cape Cod and the south coast.